Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has ordered the immediate removal of Uganda Airlines Chief Executive Officer Jenifer Bamuturaki, citing ongoing “leadership and management weaknesses” at the national carrier.

The directive, issued in a letter dated February 13, 2026, to Gen. Katumba Wamala, Minister of Works and Transport, and seen by Birrmetrics, calls for a swift leadership transition to restore operational stability.

Girma Wake, former chief of Ethiopian Airlines, has been appointed Acting CEO and Consultant to guide the airline through its current challenges. According to the president, Girma will work closely with the Board of Directors to address managerial gaps until a permanent chief executive is installed, with a target set for July 2026.

The presidential letter instructed Jenifer Bamuturaki, the current chief executive of the airlines, to “step aside immediately” and hand over responsibilities to the acting CEO and the Board. The Board was also directed to process any outstanding compensation owed to her.

Girma Wake is a long‑serving figure in African civil aviation, best known for his leadership at Ethiopian Airlines. He served as Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines from 2004 to 2011, a period in which he spearheaded its transformation into one of Africa’s most competitive carriers, expanding the fleet, routes and financial performance.

After stepping down as CEO, he continued to contribute to the aviation sector across the continent, including as chairman of RwandAir’s board of directors from 2012 until 2017.